West Virginia Emergency Vehicle Light Laws

Legal Lighting Colors in West Virginia

1. Basic Rule for All Vehicles (Front-Facing)

Under §17C‑15‑26(a)–(b), any vehicle on WV highways can only display white or amber lights visible from the front—unless exceptions under §17C‑15‑26(d) apply.

2. Flashing Emergency Light Colors by Vehicle Type (§17C‑15‑26(d))

Blue: Police Only

• Reserved for police vehicles, authorized by the department chief.
• Must be visible from at least 500 ft according to WV Code R. § 91‑7‑6.

Red: Fire, EMS & Related

• Permitted only on ambulances, firefighting trucks, hazmat units, rescue squads, school buses, and similar emergency vehicles.
• Deployment requires authorization from fire chiefs, DHHR, sheriffs, or State Fire Marshal.
• Must also meet the 500‑foot visibility rule.

Amber/Yellow: Service & Warning Vehicles

Allowed for:

• Tow trucks, pilot/escort vehicles, utility/service vehicles, snow removal, school buses, postal carriers, flag cars, etc.
• Authorization provided by county sheriff or appropriate agency.
• Requires 360° coverage and 500 ft visibility .

Additional Authorized Lighting for Civilian Vehicles

Exterior Accent & Courtesy Lights (§17C‑15‑19)

• Permits up to two side cowl/fender lamps (amber or white, glare-free).
• One running board lamp per side (amber or white, no glare).
• Backup lamps: at least two (white), but only activate in reverse.
• Warning/hazard lamps amber or white are allowed (e.g., hazard flashers).

Courtesy/Civilian Warning Lights

• Some volunteer firefighters or first responders can use flashing courtesy lights in private vehicles:
  • Usually red, amber, or blue depending on local volunteer statutes.
  • These are “courtesy” lights—not official emergency lamps—and do not grant traffic privileges like sirens or passing red lights.

Installing Other Lighting Accessories

Light Bars and Beacons

• Allowed if they conform to vehicle-specific color/legal category (e.g., amber on tow trucks).
• Must comply with visibility (at least 500 ft) and mounting requirements (e.g., strobe/rotating, 360° coverage) .
• Non-compliant colors (e.g., red or blue for unauthorized vehicles) are illegal.

Underglow / Accent LEDs

• West Virginia follows U.S. norms: blue/red/purple flashing lights are restricted to emergency service vehicles.
• Underglow lighting in other colors is generally not prohibited by color but must not mimic emergency signals or flash strobe-style.
• Steady-tone accent lighting (e.g., white, amber) is typically allowed as long as it doesn't create glare or confusion.

Compliance & Enforcement

• Unauthorized use of restricted colors (blue, red, flashing) can result in citations, vehicle impoundment, or equipment confiscation.
• Even with authorized lights, operators must adhere to rules of the road—sirens and lights don't grant carte blanche to violate traffic laws .
• Vehicles with authorized lights must ensure proper registration, permits, and obtain authorization from relevant agencies (sheriff, fire chief, DHHR).

Summary Table

Tips for Customers

1. Choose color based on your vehicle’s category—e.g., amber for tow or utility trucks; only red/blue with proper emergency authorization.
2. Ensure legality: Submit requests to the appropriate authority (sherriff, fire chief, DHHR) and keep documentation readily accessible.
3. Install correctly: Maintain at least 500 ft visibility, using 360° rotating/strobe beacons where required.
4. Avoid confusion: Stay away from unauthorized colors or flashing patterns (e.g., underglow in blue/red/purple) to prevent law enforcement issues.
5. Safety first: Even legally installed lights don’t override yielding rules—drive responsibly under all circumstances.

Note: This guide is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal guidance, consult the West Virginia Department of Public Safety or a legal professional. If something is incorrect and you would like to suggest an edit, please contact us.